2018 Intrust Super Premeirship

News that channel 9 will broadcast 1 game a week at 1pm on Saturdays and Foxtel will broadcast 2 games a week on their all league channel in 2018.
I expect it will be mostly Sydney games to cut down on costs, but that's OK because I can go to home games and see a few away games on TV.

2018 DRAW | Intrust Super Premiership NSW

NSWRL
Tue 19 Dec 2017, 11:10 AM

The NSWRL’s premier competition, the Intrust Super Premiership NSW, will be broadcast live on Channel Nine in 2018 for the first time, in addition to increased coverage from FOX SPORTS, making it the most watched in the event’s history.

While full details of the draw are yet to be finalised, all 24 rounds of the regular season will feature in a 1pm Saturday live slot on the Nine Network, in addition to up to two games live each week on FOX SPORTS' dedicated Rugby League channel, FOX LEAGUE, on Foxtel.

“We’ve worked really hard with the 12 clubs and the broadcasters to build a draw that will take the Intrust Super Premiership NSW competition to a bigger audience than ever before,” NSWRL General Manager of Football Barrie-Jon Mather said.

“Next season, with the support of Channel Nine, FOX LEAGUE and the NRL, the quality and the talent of the NRL’s next-generation will be on show for all to see.

“For the first time, free-to-air TV will showcase our state’s premier competition, highlighting the continued growth and quality of the league.”

It is likely the Channel Nine coverage will kick-off in Round One with the clash between St George Illawarra and Mounties at WIN Stadium.

Nine’s Director of Sport, Tom Malone said: “We’re very excited to be broadcasting the Intrust Super Premiership NSW competition in 2018. It’s a great competition with so much heritage and tribalism. It will be terrific to see the likes of the North Sydney Bears and Newtown Jets back at the centre of Sydney’s Rugby League television offering.”

THE 2018 SEASON WILL INCLUDE THREE SPECIAL ROUNDS:

Respect Round (Round 5, 7-8 April), in line with the start of the Junior League season

Magic Round (Round 11, 19-20 May), which will see two triple-headers of Intrust Super Premiership NSW games, likely to be played at iconic venues Henson Park and North Sydney Oval

Heritage Round (Round 20, 28-29 July), which will raise awareness and funds for Men of League.

Newtown Jets CEO, Stuart McCarthy said: “Henson Park is renowned for a great atmosphere for Intrust Super Premiership NSW games and I think it would be a wonderful afternoon.

“The more teams and the more groups of supporters who can come down and experience an old-fashioned day of afternoon football the better for everyone involved in the game.”

Another feature of the competition will be a number of double-headers with the new-look Jersey Flegg Cup (Under-20 competition) or other NSWRL competitions, rather than stand-alone games.

Intrust Super CEO Brendan O’Farrell said: "As a passionate supporter of grass-roots Rugby League, Intrust Super is delighted that fans will be treated with plenty of double-headers and special rounds. These events increase the level of excitement around the Intrust Super Premiership NSW matches and the game generally.

“Naturally, we are also excited about the prospect of having this fantastic competition screened on free-to-air television this season. This will do great things for the profile of the game and also help extend its reach to more loyal fans.”

NSWRL acknowledges the support of the NRL, and particularly David Silverton, in delivering such a great broadcast outcome for the competition.

Other key features in the draw include:

Round 1: Premiers Penrith beginning their title defence at home against Wentworthville

I think Hazard will be preferred to Starling, but they'll probably have both in the 17. Starling, Brayden Musgrove and Matt Cooper are all still training with the top squad along with Jones and Saulo - all 5 can play under 20s still.
Lamb and either Jake Saifiti of Fitzgibbon might be in as well, if everyone is fit for round 1.
Apart from that, it's a great looking side.

A total of 57 matches of the NSWRL’s premier competition, the Intrust Super Premiership NSW, will be broadcast live on Channel 9 and FOX SPORTS across the 2018 season, making it the most-watched in the event’s history.

In total, 33 matches Intrust Super Premiership NSW games will be shown on FOX LEAGUE with 24 broadcast live on Channel 9, taking the NSWRL’s blue-ribbon tournament to more people than ever before.

“We’ve worked really hard with the 12 clubs and the broadcasters to build a draw that will take the Intrust Super Premiership NSW competition to a bigger audience than ever before,” NSWRL General Manager of Football Barrie-Jon Mather said.

“This season, with the support of Channel 9, FOX LEAGUE and the NRL, the quality and the talent of the NRL’s next-generation will be on show for all to see.

“For the first time, free-to-air TV will showcase our state’s premier competition, highlighting the continued growth and quality of the league.”

Nine’s Director of Sport, Tom Malone said: “We’re very excited to be broadcasting the Intrust Super Premiership NSW competition in 2018. It’s a great competition with so much heritage and tribalism. It will be terrific to see the likes of the North Sydney Bears and Newtown Jets back at the centre of Sydney’s Rugby League television offering.”

THE 2018 SEASON INCLUDES THREE SPECIAL ROUNDS:

Respect Round (Round 5, 7-8 April), in line with the start of the Junior League season

Magic Round (Round 11, 19-20 May), which will see two triple-headers of Intrust Super Premiership NSW games, likely to be played at iconic venues Henson Park and North Sydney Oval

Heritage Round (Round 20, 28-29 July), which will raise awareness and funds for Men of League.

Newtown Jets CEO, Stuart McCarthy said: “Henson Park is renowned for a great atmosphere for Intrust Super Premiership NSW games and I think it would be a wonderful afternoon for Magic Round on Saturday 19 May.

“The more teams and the more groups of supporters who can come down and experience an old-fashioned day of afternoon football the better for everyone involved in the game.”

Another feature of the competition will be a number of double-headers with the new-look Jersey Flegg Cup (Under-20 competition) or other NSWRL competitions, rather than stand-alone games.

Intrust Super CEO Brendan O’Farrell said: "As a passionate supporter of grass-roots Rugby League, Intrust Super is delighted that fans will be treated with plenty of double-headers and special rounds. These events increase the level of excitement around the Intrust Super Premiership NSW matches and the game generally.

“Naturally, we are also excited about the prospect of having this fantastic competition screened on free-to-air television this season. This will do great things for the profile of the game and also help extend its reach to more loyal fans.”

Other key features in the draw include Premiers Penrith beginning their title defence at home against Wentworthville in Round 1 and the Grand Final re-match in Round 13 as Wyong have the chance to avenge last season’s Grand Final heartache against the Panthers.

In addition to greater-than-ever exposure on free-to-air and pay TV, NSWRL.com.au is also increasing its coverage of the Intrust Super Premiership NSW competition in 2018, bringing it to more people than ever before.

Can't recall if Brodie Jones played reserves or Flegg but going on the weekend he seems to be above Sam Stone in the pecking order now. Maybe he had a good offseason but there seems to be some wraps on him.

Sam was 11 in reggies then run out as 27 I think in firsts. Jones was 12 in reggies then run out as 24 in firsts. I think coz Brodie played closer to the grandstand is why you seen more of him so to speak.

Brodie is a year younger than Sam.
Brodie has had a lot of injuries over the last 3 years, but if he can stay fit all this year i'd be surprized if he doesn't go past Sam. He has all the same skills as Sam, but he also seems to be a naturally powerful man. Even in his first few games of reserve grade as an 18 year old he was manhandling guys who have played firstgrade, while Sam needs to keep up his gym membership for sure.

Nice having both as back up for first grade, lots of potential, make or break year for both, don't have to make first on regular basis but pushing those in front to perform, they will both be big and stronger 2019